Gas gangrene (patient information)
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Gas gangrene |
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Gas gangrene On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Overview
Gas gangrene is a potentially deadly form of tissue death (gangrene).
What are the symptoms of Gas gangrene?
Gas gangrene causes very painful swelling. The skin turns pale to brownish-red. If you press on the swollen area with your fingers, you may feel gas as a crackly sensation. The edges of the infected area grow so quickly that changes can be seen over a few minutes. The area may be completely destroyed.
Symptoms include:
- Air under the skin (subcutaneous emphysema)
- Blisters filled with brown-red fluid
- Drainage from the tissues, foul-smelling brown-red or bloody fluid (serosanguineous discharge)
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Moderate to high fever
- Moderate to severe pain around a skin injury
- Pale skin color, later becoming dusky and changing to dark red or purple
- Progressive swelling around a skin injury
- Sweating
- Vesicle formation, combining into large blisters
- Yellow color to the skin (jaundice)
Note: Symptoms usually begin suddenly and quickly worsen.
If the condition is not treated, the person can develop shock with decreased blood pressure (hypotension), kidney failure, coma, and finally death.
What causes Gas gangrene?
Gas gangrene is rare in the United States. The condition is most often caused by a bacteria called Clostridium perfringens. However, it also can be caused by Group A streptococcus. Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio vulnificus can cause similar infections. Clostridium is found most everywhere. As the bacteria grow inside the body, it makes gas and harmful substances (toxins) that can damage body tissues, cells, and blood vessels.
Gas gangrene develops suddenly. It usually occurs at the site of trauma or a recent surgical wound. About 1 in 5 cases occur without an irritating event. Patients most at risk for this usually have underlying blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries), diabetes, or colon cancer.
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may reveal signs of shock.
Tests that may be done include:
- Tissue and fluid cultures to test for Clostridium bacteria
- Blood culture to determine the bacteria causing the infection
- Gram stain of fluid from the infected area
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Gas gangrene?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Gas gangrene